Live 2025 NFL Draft Grades: Round 5

2025 NFL Draft Grades for Round 5:

139. Minnesota Vikings: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DT, Georgia – A Grade
     I had the Vikings drafting Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins at this exact pick. So, I think it obviously makes sense. First of all, the Vikings needed defensive tackle help, and Ingram-Dawkins should be able to contribute this year. And second, Ingram-Dawkins has insane upside, so he was one of my favorite third-day projections.
     
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140. Carolina Panthers: Cam Jackson, NT, Florida – B+ Grade
     Cam Jackson makes sense in this range. He also fills a need for the Panthers as a huge run-stuffing nose tackle. Carolina was awful against the rush last year, so Jackson should help in that regard.
     
     
141. Baltimore Ravens: Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M – A Grade
     The Ravens are back to making great picks. Carson Vinson has incredible upside. The level of competition is a concern, but the Ravens could mold him into a quality starter.
     
     
142. Seattle Seahawks: Rylie Mills, DE/DT, Notre Dame – C+ Grade
     The Seahawks traded into this pick, but came away with an underwhelming selection. Rylie Mills has limitations for the NFL, and there are injury concerns on top of that. He had great production at Notre Dame, but there’s not much upside.
     
     
143. Miami Dolphins: Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland – B+ Grade
     The Dolphins need as many defensive tackles as possible. Jordan Phillip is a bigger defensive tackle who could see action soon rather than later. I thought there was a chance he’d go in the fourth round.
     
     
144. Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado – A+ Grade
     The wait is over, and better yet, we win our +650 bet on Shedeur Sanders going to the Browns. This fall for Sanders was ridiculous. Teams didn’t consider him to be a first-round prospect, but he should have definitely gone in Round 2, but allegedly rubbed teams the wrong way during the pre-draft process. It’s unclear if this fall will humble him, but either way, the Browns have someone who could end up being a franchise quarterback.
     
     
145. Philadelphia Eagles: Mac McWilliams, CB, Central Florida – B Grade
     The Eagles lost Darius Slay this offseason, so they needed to obtain at least one cornerback. They got a decent one here in Mac McWilliams, an average athlete who was expected to go around this range.
     
     
146. New England Patriots: Bradyn Swinson, DE, LSU – A+ Grade
     The Browns aren’t the only team getting great value in Round 5. Bradyn Swinson is someone I’ve had going on Day 2 in most of my updates. He’s a talented edge rusher with a good combination of speed and strength. The Patriots needed another edge rusher, so I love this pick.
     
     
147. San Francisco 49ers: Jordan James, RB, Oregon – B+ Grade
     Surprise, surprise, the 49ers drafted a running back. Kyle Shanahan loves adding to the position, and he was able to snag a solid runner who was projected by some to be a fourth-round prospect. I had him a bit later, but this is still a solid pick, especially given Christian McCaffrey’s durability issues.
     
     
148. Los Angeles Rams: Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State – A+ Grade
     I had Ty Hamilton as a third- or fourth-round prospect. Ty Hamilton is quick and athletic, so he could emerge as a starter in the NFL. The Rams need pass rushers to take down the Eagles, so this could be a crucial selection.
     
     
149. Dallas Cowboys: Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas – A Grade
     The Cowboys finally draft a running back. Jaydon Blue is a speedy threat who could have gone a bit earlier than this. Given the lack of talent at the position, Blue could easily emerge as a starter rather quickly.
     
     
150. Miami Dolphins: Jason Marshall, CB, Florida – B+ Grade
     I’d say the Dolphins needed a cornerback, but they need everything. Jason Marshall has plenty of upside, but hasn’t been able to put it together on the field. There’s definitely upside with this pick, so I like this gamble.
     
     
151. Indianapolis Colts: D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State – B+ Grade
     D.J. Giddens is a tough runner who has shown plus receiving ability. The Colts needed a backup for Jonathan Taylor, and they took a decent one here, as Giddens could have been chosen a bit earlier with no complaints.
     
     
152. Dallas Cowboys: Shemar James, LB, Florida – B+ Grade
     I imagine that this pick is mostly for special teams, but there’s a chance Shemar James can contribute on passing downs. He’s incredibly agile and has some upside, but the issue is that he’s very undersized. I like this selection though, as James will have a role on the team.
     
     
153. Cincinnati Bengals: Jalen Rivers, OT/G, Miami – A- Grade
     Jalen Rivers could have been chosen in the fourth round with no complaints, so the value is solid here for the Bengals. Cincinnati really needed guard help, and Jalen Rivers can potentially start there; he has experience at both tackle and guard.
     
     
154. New York Giants: Marcus Mbow, G, Purdue – A Grade
     Given how poor the Giants’ offensive line has been, they can’t be criticized for adding quality blocking for Jaxson Dart. Marcus Mbow is a bit of a project because he needs to get stronger for the NFL, but he has good quickness and athleticism. I love the upside.
     
     
155. Miami Dolphins: Dante Trader, S, Maryland – C- Grade
     Dante Trader was productive at Maryland, but I don’t have great confidence in him panning out in the NFL because he’s undersized. I thought he’d be a seventh-round pick, so I’m not a fan of this selection despite safety being a need.
     
     
156. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeffery Bassa, LB, Oregon – A Grade
     There are a number of great value picks being made in Round 5, and this is one of them. I had Jeffery Bassa in Rounds 3-4, so it’s great that the Chiefs were able to get him in the middle of the fifth frame. Bassa is a quick and instinctive linebacker who has a decent chance of becoming a starter down the road.
     
     
157. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Elijah Roberts, DE, SMU – B+ Grade
     Another edge rusher for the Buccaneers makes sense, as does this range for Elijah Roberts. The SMU product was highly productive in school, and he should help get after Michael Penix Jr.
     
     
158. Los Angeles Chargers: KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Auburn – A+ Grade
     KeAndre Lambert-Smith is yet another great value in the fifth round. I had him going later on Day 2! Lambert-Smith is a very quick receiver and a great route runner. I’m shocked he lasted this long, but the Chargers won’t complain, as he could help them right away at their problematic receiver position.
     
     
159. Green Bay Packers: Collin Oliver, DE, Oklahoma State – B Grade
     I was wondering where Collin Oliver would go because he was a highly productive player in 2023, but missed most of 2024 with an injury. This pick has higher risk, but Oliver could end up panning out if he can remain healthy. If so, he’ll fill a need in Green Bay.
     
     
160. San Francisco 49ers: Marques Sigle, S, Kansas State – B+ Grade
     The 49ers lost Talanoa Hufanga, so safety was an area they needed to address. Marques Sigle has high upside as the fastest player at the position at the combine. He makes sense in this range, so I like this pick.
     
     
161. Philadelphia Eagles: Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia – A+ Grade
     The Eagles drafted a talented Georgia defender? So shocking! Smel Mondon Jr. has plus speed and athleticism to go with a good skill set. I thought he could have been drafted two rounds earlier, so I’m a big fan of this selection.
     
     
162. New York Jets: Francisco Mauigoa, DE/OLB, Miami – B+ Grade
     Francisco Mauigoa was a productive player at Miami who ended up testing well at the combine. The Jets needed to improve their pass rush, and Mauigoa makes sense in the middle of the fifth frame.
     
     
163. Carolina Panthers: Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame – B Grade
     The Panthers have Ja’Tavion Sanders, but needed another tight end, so it’s logical that they chose someone like Mitchell Evans at this spot. Evans has potential, but recently tore his ACL, so he may not be 100 percent until 2026.
     
     
164. Pittsburgh Steelers: Yahya Black, NT, Iowa – B+ Grade
     I had the Steelers drafting Yahya Black around this spot. It makes sense, as Black is a big run stuffer. He won’t produce much as a pass rusher, but he’ll have a role with Pittsburgh to help clamp down on Derrick Henry.
     
     
165. Los Angeles Chargers: Orande Gadsen II, TE, Syracuse – B+ Grade
     The Chargers traded up for Orande Gadsen II, whose father played in the NFL. Gadsen II could fill a need at tight end, a position some thought the Chargers would address at No. 22. The range makes sense for him.
     
     
166. Seattle Seahawks: Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State – A- Grade
     The Seahawks lost two receivers this offseason and didn’t really bring in anyone. Cooper Kupp was signed, but he’s old and decrepit. Tory Horton is a tall and fast receiver who could have gone earlier than this. I like this pick.
     
     
167. Tennessee Titans: Jackson Slater, G/C, Sacramento State – B+ Grade
     The Titans added lots of receiving play-makers for Cam Ward. Here is some protection. Jackson Slater is a versatile lineman capable of playing guard and center, and he fits the range as a fifth-round prospect.
     
     
168. Philadelphia Eagles: Drew Kendall, C, Boston College – A- Grade
     The Eagles love to address the trenches. They have their center locked up with a new contract, but Drew Kendall can be a solid backup for them. Kendall was projected to go earlier than this, so I like the value.
     
     
169. Chicago Bears: Zah Frazier, CB, Texas-San Antonio – B+ Grade
     The Bears needed cornerback help. Zah Frazier was one of the fastest cornerbacks at the combine, and he has plenty of upside. He could eventually emerge as a starter for Chicago.
     
     
170. Buffalo Bills: Jordan Hancock, CB, Ohio State – B+ Grade
     Another cornerback makes sense for the Bills, given their need at the position. Jordan Hancock makes sense in this range as a very instinctive cornerback and a willing tackler. Another solid pick from Buffalo.
     
     
171. Detroit Lions: Miles Frazier, G, LSU – A Grade
     Miles Frazier could have gone earlier than this with no complaints. The Lions won’t complain, as they wanted to draft a guard in the first round. There’s a chance Frazier could start sooner rather than later.
     
     
172. Los Angeles Rams: Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss – B Grade
     Chris Paul was expected to be a fifth-round pick, and that’s exactly where he went. This is a logical selection for the Rams, who had severe linebacker issues last year. They really needed to attack the position.
     
     
173. Buffalo Bills: Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech – B Grade
     Jackson Hawes won’t be competing for targets with Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. He’s a quality blocking tight end who should be able to carve out a role on the team. This is a fine, but not great pick.
     
     
174. Arizona Cardinals: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State – C+ Grade
     Denzel Burke’s draft stock fell off a cliff. He was once considered an early prospect, but struggled later in his collegiate career. There are also speed concerns with him. This isn’t a good pick, but I get Arizona’s thought process behind it.
     
     
175. Seattle Seahawks: Robbie Ouzts, TE, Alabama – D Grade
     Robbie Ouzts is not someone I expected to be drafted. I don’t know if anyone had him drafted either. He’s a pure blocking tight end who offers almost nothing as a receiver.
     
     
176. New York Jets: Tyler Baron, DE, Miami – B+ Grade
     I had Tyler Baron going around this area, so he fits the range. It also makes sense that the Jets would draft him, given that they need as many pass rushers as possible to take down Josh Allen.